Chickenpox: everything you need to know

Most children will have chickenpox at some point before they're 10 and although uncomfortable, most cases aren't serious.

Chickenpox is a viral infection, that is spread quickly and easily between children - so it's a common illness for little ones to go through. The NHS say, 'Children usually catch chickenpox in winter and spring, particularly between March and May,' so it's worth be extra vigilant around these times.

As it's hugely contagious (around 90% of people who've never had it will develop it if put in contact with the virus) it's very hard to prevent your child from contracting it.

When your child goes through it, there are some questions that every mum needs answers to - and fast. Here we explain symptoms, causes, treatments.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Chickenpox often starts with a fever a few days before the spots appear. Your little one will then have red, itchy spots all over their body, which turn into fluid-filled blisters. These normally will form in clusters They will eventually scab over and fall off after a week or two. It's considered a mild condition, but for anyone who's ever suffered it will know, the spots can be really irritating and your child is likely to feel uncomfortable.

It is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster which travels in small droplets of saliva or mucus that are spread through coughing and sneezing. Most children will get chickenpox before the age of 10, with 90% of people being immune to it by the time they reach adulthood. The chickenpox virus is at its most contagious a few days before the spots appear, and is generally thought to not be contagious after the spots have scabbed over.

Generally, the worst of the rash is gone in around 5-7 days. This is once the spots have burst and turned into blisters.

Symptoms to look out for before the first rash develops:

Flu-like symptoms

Feeling sick

A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over

Aching muscles

Headache

Loss of appetite

Where the rash is likely to develop:

Behind the ears

On the face

Over the scalp

On the chest and belly

On the arms and legs

What should I do if my child gets chickenpox?

Tell their school or nursery immediately, if they're at that age, and wait until the last spots have burst and crusted over before they return. Newborn babies, pregnant women and people with a lowered immune system should not be exposed to the illness, so try to keep your child indoors and away from family and friends at risk.

How to treat chickenpox

Most children get over chickenpox on their own. There are things you can get at the chemist, like calamine lotion or ViraSoothe Chickenpox Relief Cooling Gel, which will help calm the itching. And pain killers like pacacetamol will help bring down their fever. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids and doesn't scratch the spots, because it could leave scarring.

It's also important that children who have Chickenpox aren't given any aspirin or ibuprofen-based pain killers or medicines. Dr Anshumen Bhagat, creator of the doctor-on-demand app GPDQ, who has 15 years’ experience working for the NHS explains why:

'Children with chickenpox who take aspirin can develop a potentially fatal condition called Reye's syndrome, which causes severe brain and liver damage. NEVER give a child aspirin if it is suspected or known that they have chickenpox,' he says.

Dr Anshumen goes on to confirm that ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories should not be used, 'due to the small risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) causing adverse skin reactions during chickenpox' as they 'can cause the blisters to become more severe in some cases and can, in rare cases, lead to septicemia.'

Chickenpox treatments at a glance include

Calamine lotion

Cooling gel

Paracetamol

Cool, light clothes

Plenty of fluids

Should I take my child to the doctor?

It's only important to go to the doctor first off if you know child has a weak immune system or they're under six weeks old. However, if your child develops breathing difficulties, chest pain or the blisters become infected, contact your GP straight away.

The doctor will usually take a blood test to see if your child is producing the antibodies to the chickenpox virus.

Can chickenpox be prevented?

There is an immunisation jab for chickenpox, but it is not offered to children in the UK unless they are particularly vulnerable to the disease.

This is because after the two recommended doses of the vaccinedon't have a 100% success rate, so there is still a chance of your child contracting chickenpox after immunisation

Can adults catch chickenpox?

Yes, but it's quite unlikely if you've had it already. Only 13% of people get chickenpox more than once.

Can I catch shingles from someone with chickenpox?

No. You can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, but not the other way around.

What if I get chickenpox while I'm pregnant?

Chickenpox can be dangerous for people who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system. The virus can cause complications for the mother-to-be and her unborn baby, which may include pneumonia or in very rare cases inflamation of the brain or liver. If you're pregnant or have given birth in the last week and think you might have been exposed to chickenpox, see your GP and don't wait until spots have appeared to make an appointment. It is worth remembering though, that it is very rare for pregnant women to get chickenpox.

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If you do get infected, pregnant women can take an antiviral medicine called acyclovir once the rash appears. It will not cure the chickenpox, but it will make the symptoms less severe. It has to be taken five times a day for 7 days.

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